Nine smart things to do while job hunting

Nine smart things to do while job hunting

If you’re looking for work, it pays to use your time wisely. Here’s how

By Sophie Cole

Question: what’s the smart thing to do while searching for work?

Answer: use the time constructively to look after yourself and improve your employability.

Establish a routine so you have a reason to get out of bed and on with your day.  

That’s the view of the experts at Just Recruitment, who have an enviable track record of placing candidates in jobs that are just right for their skills. We asked for the advice they’d give to people who are between jobs. This is what they had to say.

1. Stay motivated

“It’s easy when job hunting to find yourself slipping into a feeling of laziness or indifference to the world,” says Tracey Bates (Business Manager). “Take pride in your appearance. Establish a routine so you have a reason to get out of bed and on with your day. Use the space in your schedule to attend to stuff that’s easily put to one side when you’re busy with work.

“Those niggling health complaints you’ve been ignoring? Get to a doctor and have them checked out. That long overdue spring clean of your house? Get it done and you’ll feel a whole lot better about everything.”

Nine smart things to do while job hunting2. Get moving

“Use your spare time to enjoy some physical activity,” advises Jody Collings (Business Manager). “Working up a sweat will release endorphins in your body, making you feel positive and upbeat. That’ll come over when you apply for jobs, giving you a particular edge in interviews.

“If money’s tight because you’re not earning, there are loads of free resources online, including YouTube videos on everything from Yoga, Pilates and Zumba to Kickboxing, Martial Arts and Dance. So get downloading and get dancing: you’ll reap the rewards.”

3. Think about what you want from life

“Now’s the moment to stand back and really think about where you’d like your career to go,” says Bridie James (Business Manager). “This is particularly important if you’ve been dismissed from a role, as identifying where things went wrong will aid your learning for the future.

“Now’s the moment to stand back and really think about where you’d like your career to go,”...  

“Whatever the circumstances that led to you being on the job market, you’ve got some welcome space to stand back, take stock, and work out what you want to happen next. With a clearer vision to drive you, you’ll have bags more energy and a much sharper focus.” 

4. Pick up some new self-care habits

“Looking after yourself is important, but self-care can easily slip when you’re busy searching for work,” says Bridie. “Make time every day just to be. Maybe try some meditation techniques or stress management. Work on improving your sleep pattern or develop your time-management skills.

“The important thing is to establish self-care habits that will endure, even when you’re back in employment. That will help prevent burnout, making you a healthier, happier person.

Nine smart things to do while job hunting5. Improve your career prospects

“One reason people struggle to find work is that their qualifications aren’t right for the vacancies available,” says Jody. “But this challenge is easily overcome: there are loads of free or low-cost courses that can enhance your skill set.

“Many of these courses can be easily completed through a few weeks of self-supported study. So you can tackle them in bite-size chunks, helping to keep you motivated and giving your CV a welcome boost in the process.”

6. Don’t be too proud to ask for help

“If you’re struggling financially while looking for work, you shouldn’t be embarrassed about asking for the support you’re entitled to,” says Tracey. “There are lots of state benefits available, especially if you’ve paid National Insurance contributions for more than two years. These include Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA), and Housing Benefit.

There are whole communities online dedicated to saving you money,...  

“There’s a load of helpful information and guidance on the gov.uk website, or you can visit a Job Centre to find out exactly what you’re entitled to.”

7. Embrace your inner miser

Bridie says that some of her most dynamic candidates use their business acumen to save themselves money while job hunting.

“If you know where to look, there are loads of ways to reduce your spending,” she says. “That can relieve some of the financial pressure of unemployment. There are whole communities online dedicated to saving you money, including VoucherCodes, Topcashback, Quidco and moneysavingexpert.com.”

Nine smart things to do while job hunting8. Overhaul your online profile

“If you’ve time on your hands, it makes a lot of sense to bring your social media profile up to date, and delete any embarrassing or awkward posts,” says Jody.

“Make sure your online presence shows you in the best possible light. Lots of recruiters will check you out before deciding whether or not to interview you. Give yourself a digital spruce-up. You may find your job prospects receive a welcome shot in the arm.”

9. Be tempted by temping

Kelly Lewis, who works in the Sudbury office, says that searching for permanent work may not be the smartest move for some job hunters.

“There are so many interesting temporary roles available that I advise some of my clients to consider these first,” she says. “For some people, temping provides a way of testing out a number of different jobs before settling on a favourite. For others, it’s a way of building their CV and making contacts with potential employers. Whatever your motivation, it’s a great way to earn while you’re applying for permanent posts.”

You can check out Just Recruitment’s selection of temporary and permanent, full and part-time jobs here. Happy hunting!

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: 
What are the most common spelling mistakes on CVs?
How to be successful in interviews

 

Published: 4 July 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

Forklift Driver - Counterbalance (10am - 8pm)
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC5
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a transport and logistics business in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Forklift Driver, due to increased workload.

This is a permanent opportunity!

To be considered for this role, you must have a Counterbalance licence that is valid and up-to-date — previous experience operating these trucks is required.

This is a busy and varied role where you could be working in the yard, moving goods, stock checking, or loading and unloading trucks throughout the day.

This is a great company to be part of — offering further progression and development.

Hours: 10am to 8pm.

Overtime is also available (subject to business requirements).

Free parking is available on site, as well as further company benefits.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Forklift Driver - Bendi (8am - 6pm)
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Location: Earls Colne, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC4
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a transport and logistics business in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Forklift Driver, due to increased workload.

This is a permanent opportunity!

To be considered for this role, you must have a Bendi/Flexi licence that is valid and in date — previous experience operating these trucks is required.

This is a busy and varied role where you could be working in the yard, moving goods, stock checking, or loading and unloading trucks throughout the day.

This is a great company to be part of — offering further progression and development.

Hours: 8am to 6pm.

Overtime is also available (subject to business requirements).

Free parking is available on site, as well as further company benefits.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £13.50 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0825
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Secretary/Office Support Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Sudbury
Role: Part Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JRG0102015
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing business based in Sudbury to recruit a Secretary/Office Support Administrator.

This role is available on a part-time basis for a minimum of 20 hours per week – those hours must include Wednesdays and Fridays.

Key duties include:

  • Supporting the Director with diary management, correspondence, minute-taking, audio typing of various documents and travel arrangements
  • Managing office admin, including filing
  • Answering the phone and handling queries in a confident and professional manner
  • Meeting and greeting visitors to the office in a friendly manner
  • Maintaining and updating the company database
  • Producing reports and other documents as required
  • Assisting other secretaries and receptionists as needed
  • Attending meetings and ensuring accurate documentation
  • Upholding company policies and contributing to a flexible, team-oriented environment

What you'll need to succeed:

  • Previous experience in an administration/secretary-based role
  • Audio typing experience
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage your own time effectively, meeting any deadlines set
  • Computer literate with proficiency in Excel, Word and database packages
  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • High levels of accuracy with good attention to detail

This is an excellent opportunity to join a local business in an exciting period of growth. This role is being offered on a permanent, office-based basis.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Assistant
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JRG92025
About the role

Just Recruitment has an exciting opportunity for an Accounts Assistant to join a company based in Sudbury.

You will be responsible for supporting the Finance Department and Senior Management in all areas of finance and accounting.

Duties include:

  • Updating invoice details and dates using Excel
  • Updating and adding items to sales orders
  • Raising and updating invoices on Sage
  • Sending copies of invoices to customers
  • Supplying supporting documentation as required
  • Processing and completing purchase orders, including updating Sage and forwarding to the customer
  • Updating the relevant spreadsheets on completion of purchase orders
  • Assisting with customer queries incoming to the Finance Department
  • Forwarding documents such as contracts, calibration certificates, etc, as required
  • Answering all invoice queries
  • Supplying contract details and breakdowns to support invoice charges, etc.
  • Management of Credit Control
  • Emailing/posting statements
  • Chasing/requesting payment
  • Answering customer queries regarding invoices
  • Generating and forwarding outstanding invoice reports

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Manager
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 82025
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation on the outskirts of Sudbury to recruit an Accounts/Finance Manager. This role reports directly to the directors and is supported by an Accounts Assistant who will report into this role.

The key purpose of this role is to manage the finance department and to support the senior management in all areas of finance across the business.

Key duties include:

Daily:

  • Reconciling current accounts on Sage
  • Updating the cash flow spreadsheet and reviewing
  • Loading purchase invoices onto Sage and distributing them for approval

Weekly:

  • Producing Balance of Accounts for Finance meetings
  • Reviewing Sales Ledger and Purchase Ledger
  • Compiling supplier invoices, reviewing and loading for payment via Bacs, updating Sage and sending remittance advice

Monthly:

  • Reconciling all bank accounts against paper statements
  • Loading credit card payments onto Sage and reconciling against the paper statement
  • Processing wages – gathering all timesheets and expenses, compiling and sending to Whitings, receiving documents and payslips back, loading Bacs payments and sending payslips and loading Journals onto Sage
  • Downloading monthly supplier invoices
  • Creating monthly sales invoices

Quarterly:

  • Compiling and filing VAT Returns

Annually:

  • Compiling required documents for accountants at the financial year end, processing Sage Year End and communicating as necessary with accountants
  • Managing commercial and vehicle insurance. Reviewing current circumstances, reassessing cover and requirements, and supplying supporting documents

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled finance professional with experience in managing a team. This role may offer some degree of flexibility in working hours.

To be considered for this role, you must hold at least AAT level 4 or similar.

This is an office-based role.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Multi-skilled Site Services Trades Person
Sector: Property and Construction
Salary: £15.70 per hour
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Part Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913728
About the role

Just Recruitment has an exciting opportunity for a Site Services Tradesperson to join an engineering company based in Braintree, Essex.

Please note that this is a part-time role — working 24 hours per week, ideally over 3 days.

You will be part of the Facilities and Maintenance team, delivering general maintenance support to all buildings.

This role involves liaising with the Department Chargehand for daily tasks and with the Department Manager for any special or additional requirements. You will be responsible for carrying out general maintenance duties, as well as conducting Health & Safety compliance checks across the factory site, including inspections of fire extinguishers, legionella water testing, fire escape routes, and fire call points.

Required skills include:

  • General plumbing – mains water and WC.
  • General carpentry and woodwork.
  • Light building works (tiling, light building repairs, etc).
  • Painting and decorating.
  • General maintenance duties.
  • Be self-motivated and organised, and able to work on own as well as in a team.
  • Driving licence.
  • A forklift truck licence is desirable but not essential.

Hours of work:

  • Monday to Friday, between 07.30 to 16.00.
  • Hours negotiable, ideally 3 full days.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more